6 answers
Amanda
Student
Honolulu, Hawaii
1
Question
Updated
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What are some of the pros and cons to going away for college versus staying at home?
I am currently a senior in high school and have applied to some colleges. However, I don't know if I want to stay home or go away, so how should I prepare for this big change in my life while also considering student life, academics, cost, and finance programs?
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6 answers
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Amanda. One of the biggest advantages of going away for college is the opportunity for independence. You get to live on your own, meet new people, and experience a different place. Being on campus can make it easier to join clubs, make friends, and feel like part of the school community. You may also grow a lot as a person because you're learning to handle responsibilities on your own. However, going away can be much more expensive, since you have to pay for housing, food, and travel. Living far from home can also be stressful if you're not used to being on your own or managing everything yourself.
Staying at home for college also has strong benefits. It's usually much cheaper because you don't have to pay for room and board, and you can rely on support from your family. This can make the transition from high school to college easier. You may also be able to focus more on your classes without dealing with the stress of moving to a new place. But staying home might make it harder to get involved in campus life, and you may feel like you're missing out on some of the social experiences that come with living on campus. Commuting can also take time and energy.
To prepare for this change, you need to gather the necessary information. You may visit the colleges you're considering, both close to home and farther away, to see where you feel most comfortable. You can also compare the financial aid offers you receive, including scholarships, grants, and work-study options, because these can make a big difference in cost.
No matter what you choose, it's helpful to build skills like time management and budgeting. These will help you succeed whether you live at home or on campus. Hope this helps. All the best.
Staying at home for college also has strong benefits. It's usually much cheaper because you don't have to pay for room and board, and you can rely on support from your family. This can make the transition from high school to college easier. You may also be able to focus more on your classes without dealing with the stress of moving to a new place. But staying home might make it harder to get involved in campus life, and you may feel like you're missing out on some of the social experiences that come with living on campus. Commuting can also take time and energy.
To prepare for this change, you need to gather the necessary information. You may visit the colleges you're considering, both close to home and farther away, to see where you feel most comfortable. You can also compare the financial aid offers you receive, including scholarships, grants, and work-study options, because these can make a big difference in cost.
No matter what you choose, it's helpful to build skills like time management and budgeting. These will help you succeed whether you live at home or on campus. Hope this helps. All the best.
Thank you so much for your advice! This is really helpful as I figure out which college to attend.
Amanda
You're very welcome
Wong Loke Yuen
Priyali Kasera (she/her)
Finance
8
Answers
Gurugram, Haryana, India
Updated
Priyali’s Answer
Hey Amanda, I've been away from home for over 17 years now.
Choosing whether to go away for college or stay home is a big decision, and both have their own benefits and challenges. Going away can offer you freedom, a fresh start, and the chance to meet new people. You'll learn to manage your time and responsibilities, which helps you grow. It might cost more and feel a bit overwhelming at first.
Staying at home is often cheaper and more comfortable. You'll have your support system nearby and can settle into college life without worrying about rent or living alone. However, you might find it harder to get involved in campus activities and miss out on some experiences that build confidence.
Think about what matters most to you: independence, comfort, finances, or strong academic programs. Look into the colleges you're considering — check their programs, campus culture, activities, and support services. Talk to current students, visit campuses if you can, and compare real costs. Choose the place where you believe you'll grow, stay motivated, and feel supported.
There’s no wrong choice here. College is about discovering who you are, and either path can help you do that if you plan wisely and stay open to new experiences.
Sometimes I wonder if having home support would have made things easier, but then I see how much I've grown out in the world. This choice is yours, so pick what's best for you in both education and finances. I moved because my hometown didn't offer advanced education facilities.
Hope this helps.
Good luck! You can do it!
Choosing whether to go away for college or stay home is a big decision, and both have their own benefits and challenges. Going away can offer you freedom, a fresh start, and the chance to meet new people. You'll learn to manage your time and responsibilities, which helps you grow. It might cost more and feel a bit overwhelming at first.
Staying at home is often cheaper and more comfortable. You'll have your support system nearby and can settle into college life without worrying about rent or living alone. However, you might find it harder to get involved in campus activities and miss out on some experiences that build confidence.
Think about what matters most to you: independence, comfort, finances, or strong academic programs. Look into the colleges you're considering — check their programs, campus culture, activities, and support services. Talk to current students, visit campuses if you can, and compare real costs. Choose the place where you believe you'll grow, stay motivated, and feel supported.
There’s no wrong choice here. College is about discovering who you are, and either path can help you do that if you plan wisely and stay open to new experiences.
Sometimes I wonder if having home support would have made things easier, but then I see how much I've grown out in the world. This choice is yours, so pick what's best for you in both education and finances. I moved because my hometown didn't offer advanced education facilities.
Hope this helps.
Good luck! You can do it!
Megan Lance
3
Answers
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Choosing between going away for college or staying home is a big decision, and a very personal one. Going away lets you meet new people you might never have met otherwise, experience new places, and gain independence. It’s a chance to see there’s a whole world beyond where you grew up. The great thing is, you can always come home and many students find ways to stay connected (especially with today's technology). At my college, there was a board in the student center where students posted weekend travel plans, so I could catch rides with others from my area and get home sometimes while also meeting new people from my local area at my same school. When preparing, consider student life, academics, costs, and financial programs to make the best choice for you. You could also consider staying at school close to home but doing a study abroad program to try a little bit of both :)
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
1062
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Attending college away from home can sometimes be a very daunting experience, especially for people who are going to be away from home for an extended period of time. Attending college away definitely requires balancing your newfound independence with common sense values, to assist you in surviving the experience.
I always recommend prioritizing exploring your campus environment, creating a familiar living space, and campus activities like joining clubs to meet people, while also setting healthy communication boundaries with family to manage your homesickness. Transition do take time so attempt to be patient with the transition, manage your resources and money, and keep an open mindset to new experiences.
Here are some of the things that I recommend:
Explore Early: Not only go on a campus tour (which can be arranged online), but also walk around campus and your new college town to find study spots, coffee shops, and regional parks.
Get Involved: Join student life organizations like campus clubs and organizations to find friends with shared interests.
Don't Go Home Too Soon: Avoid returning home every weekend; it can hinder your ability to build lasting connections.
Be Open-Minded: Embrace new perspectives, other countries and cultures, and people, and consider taking classes outside your major (utilize your electives part of your college degree).
Create a safe and comfortable space: Decorate your dorm with pictures, posters, and familiar items to make it a comforting refuge.
Master Life Skills: Practice doing your own laundry, cleaning, cooking, and doing minor repairs.
Respect Your Roommates: Set clear expectations early regarding cleaning, visitors, and noise.
Manage Homesickness: It is normal to miss being at home, but avoid over-communicating with relatives and others at home. Schedule regular, but not daily, check-ins.
Be Patient: Transitioning into new environments takes time, so be patient with your adjustment.
Stay Healthy (take care of yourself): Find the campus health services, physical education, intramural and activity centers, and find a local doctor if necessary (in case of an emergency).
Budget Your Resources and Money Wisely: Create a budget and understand how to manage your own bank account and financial resources.
Get Organized: Keep important documents (identification, like drivers license, insurance cards, social security number) secure and accessible.
Use Resources: Don't hesitate to use campus support groups, tutoring centers, libraries, or counseling for academic anxiety or stress.
I always recommend prioritizing exploring your campus environment, creating a familiar living space, and campus activities like joining clubs to meet people, while also setting healthy communication boundaries with family to manage your homesickness. Transition do take time so attempt to be patient with the transition, manage your resources and money, and keep an open mindset to new experiences.
Here are some of the things that I recommend:
Explore Early: Not only go on a campus tour (which can be arranged online), but also walk around campus and your new college town to find study spots, coffee shops, and regional parks.
Get Involved: Join student life organizations like campus clubs and organizations to find friends with shared interests.
Don't Go Home Too Soon: Avoid returning home every weekend; it can hinder your ability to build lasting connections.
Be Open-Minded: Embrace new perspectives, other countries and cultures, and people, and consider taking classes outside your major (utilize your electives part of your college degree).
Create a safe and comfortable space: Decorate your dorm with pictures, posters, and familiar items to make it a comforting refuge.
Master Life Skills: Practice doing your own laundry, cleaning, cooking, and doing minor repairs.
Respect Your Roommates: Set clear expectations early regarding cleaning, visitors, and noise.
Manage Homesickness: It is normal to miss being at home, but avoid over-communicating with relatives and others at home. Schedule regular, but not daily, check-ins.
Be Patient: Transitioning into new environments takes time, so be patient with your adjustment.
Stay Healthy (take care of yourself): Find the campus health services, physical education, intramural and activity centers, and find a local doctor if necessary (in case of an emergency).
Budget Your Resources and Money Wisely: Create a budget and understand how to manage your own bank account and financial resources.
Get Organized: Keep important documents (identification, like drivers license, insurance cards, social security number) secure and accessible.
Use Resources: Don't hesitate to use campus support groups, tutoring centers, libraries, or counseling for academic anxiety or stress.
Deepam Vyas
Interest Rate Risk Manager
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Deepam’s Answer
Hi Amanda, I would consider what your priorities are and what you would like to get out of college. I went to a college that was 20 minutes drive from home and my parents were helping me with tuition so minimizing that cost was my top priority. Since I lived close to college, I didn't feel that I missed out on a lot of college experience. I always had several friends who lived on campus that I can stay with when I wanted, so you can also take that into consideration if that is a possibility. In hindsight, maybe living at campus for one year would have helped me gain more independence, but that eventually happened at a later time, post graduation when I started my job. Ultimately, the question is: what are your goals? There are multiple ways to get there and that answer is different for everyone.
Sandra Koons
Sales Operations
2
Answers
Manchester, Pennsylvania
Updated
Sandra’s Answer
Here are some pros and cons of going away to college:
Pros:
- Independence and Growth: You learn to manage your time, money, and life, which boosts your confidence and maturity.
- Social Life and New Experiences: You meet people from different backgrounds, making it easier to make friends since everyone is new.
- Academic Focus: There are fewer distractions from home, and you have access to libraries, study groups, and professors' office hours.
Cons:
- Cost: Expenses include housing, meal plans, and travel.
- Homesickness: You might miss your family, pets, and familiar surroundings.
- Mental Load: There can be more pressure and feelings of being overwhelmed.
Pros:
- Independence and Growth: You learn to manage your time, money, and life, which boosts your confidence and maturity.
- Social Life and New Experiences: You meet people from different backgrounds, making it easier to make friends since everyone is new.
- Academic Focus: There are fewer distractions from home, and you have access to libraries, study groups, and professors' office hours.
Cons:
- Cost: Expenses include housing, meal plans, and travel.
- Homesickness: You might miss your family, pets, and familiar surroundings.
- Mental Load: There can be more pressure and feelings of being overwhelmed.